Portable Spa

ABSTRACT

A spa pool assembly has a pool having an enclosing wall and a base that together defines an interior. The base has a plurality of inflatable sections that are divided by a plurality of air passages that includes a first air passage that has a plurality of small bubble openings, and a second air passage that has a plurality of large bubble openings. The small bubble openings eject bubbles that are smaller in size than the bubbles ejected from the large bubble openings. The spa pool assembly can also include a bubble controller that controls the ejection of bubbles from the small bubble openings and the large bubble openings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Related Cases

This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending Ser. No. 11/700,218, filedJan. 30, 2007, which is a continuation-in-part of co-pending Ser. No.11/412,541, filed Apr. 27, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser.No. 11/136,280, filed May 23, 2005, whose entire disclosures areincorporated by this reference as though set forth fully herein.

2. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to portable pools, and in particular, to aportable spa pool that can be conveniently moved from one location toanother, and which can be conveniently and quickly installed anddisassembled.

3. Description of the Prior Art

Spa pools have become increasingly popular as people have come torecognize and enjoy the relaxing and healthy benefits accorded by a goodinvigorating soak in a spa pool or tub. Most conventional spa pools areprovided in the form of a spa tub in a bathroom or a health club, or inthe form of an outdoor spa. Each of these spa pools has a jet nozzlesystem having a plurality of nozzles that must be powered by a pump andits associated plumbing (e.g., tubing that connects the nozzles). Somespa pools are also provided with a heater that works in conjunction withthe pump to heat the water that is re-circulated in the spa pool.

Unfortunately, in order to move a conventional spa pool to a differentlocation, the entire spa pool and its accompanying jet nozzle system,pump, plumbing and heater must be completely dis-assembled and moved.Such dis-assembly can be quite complex, and often requires the expertiseof a plumber. Even if a normal user is able to accomplish thedis-assembly on his or her own, such dis-assembly is very time-consumingand difficult, and any subsequent re-assembly will be equallytime-consuming and challenging. In other words, conventional spa poolstend to stay fixed in their original locations, and are unlikely to bemoved to a different location.

Such lack of portability is a significant drawback, since nowadayspeople are more mobile and often enjoy travelling and moving about. Itwould be desirable if they could also enjoy the luxury and benefit ofthe spa pool at different locales while not experiencing theinconveniences and difficulties associated with having to assemble anddis-assemble a conventional spa pool. This would encourage and promoteincreased use of spa pools.

To meet this demand, attempts have been made to provide portable spapools that can be easily assembled and disassembled. Unfortunately, theplumbing systems for these portable spa pools can still be rathercomplex. For example, the nozzles need to be fluidly connected to eachother (and to a pump) by tubing so that water can be circulated throughthese nozzles during use. Unfortunately, connecting a plurality ofnozzles together can be a rather complicated task, and if not donecorrectly, can result in leaks and possible malfunction of the plumbingsystem.

Thus, there remains a need for a portable spa pool that overcomes theproblems associated with the conventional spa pools, which can beinstalled and dis-assembled for storage in a quick and convenientmanner, and which can be packed and moved about conveniently.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a portable spapool which can be installed and dis-assembled for storage in a quick andconvenient manner, and which can be packed and moved about conveniently.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a portablespa pool that has a simple construction that minimizes potentialleakage.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide aportable spa pool having separate modular jet nozzle assemblies, witheach jet nozzle capable of being controlled separately from the others.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a portablespa pool having the capability of delivering multiple types of bubbles.

It is yet a further objective of the present invention to provide aportable spa pool that prevents back flow of water from the spa poolinto the pump.

The objectives of the present invention are accomplished by providing,in one embodiment, a spa pool assembly having a pool having an enclosingwall and a base that together defines an interior. The base has aplurality of inflatable sections that are divided by a plurality of airpassages that includes a first air passage that has a plurality of smallbubble openings, and a second air passage that has a plurality of largebubble openings. The small bubble openings eject bubbles that aresmaller in size than the bubbles ejected from the large bubble openings.The spa pool assembly can also include a bubble controller that controlsthe ejection of bubbles and fluid from the small bubble openings and thelarge bubble openings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable spa pool assembly accordingto one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the spa pool assembly of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the spa pool ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side plan view of the bubble control devicethat is used for the spa pool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the bubble control devicethat is used for the spa pool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view illustrating a jet nozzle assembly andcontrol unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates the spa pool of FIG. 1 shown in use with the jetnozzle assembly and control unit of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the spa pool of FIG. 1shown in use with the jet nozzle assembly and control unit of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a portable spa pool assemblyaccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a modified pool of the portable spapool assembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the portable spa pool assembly ofFIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the spa pool of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of the portable spa pool assembly ofFIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a portable spa pool assemblyaccording to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a modified pool of the portable spapool assembly of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the portable spa pool assembly ofFIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a modification madeto the portable spa pool assembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating a modification made to theportable spa pool of FIG. 10.

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of a portable spa pool assemblyaccording to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the portable spa pool assembly of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is an enlarged perspective view of the bubble controller of theportable spa pool assembly of FIG. 19.

FIG. 22 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the portable spa poolassembly of FIG. 19.

FIG. 23 illustrates the internal components of the bubble controller ofFIG. 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplatedmodes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be takenin a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustratinggeneral principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of theinvention is best defined by the appended claims. In certain instances,detailed descriptions of well-known devices and mechanisms are omittedso as to not obscure the description of the present invention withunnecessary detail.

The present invention provides a spa pool that can be easily and quicklyassembled and dis-assembled without the need for any special tools. Inone embodiment, the spa pool of the present invention provides separatejet nozzle assemblies so that each jet nozzle assembly can be quicklyand easily installed by the user. In addition, providing separate jetnozzle assemblies allows the user to control each of them separately, sothat the user can customize and vary the jet sprays emitted from theseseparate jet nozzles. The spa pool of the present invention alsoprovides a simple water circulation system that is easy to install andwhich minimizes potential leak points.

In another embodiment, air bubbles can be released through one or moreair passages provided in the base of the spa pool.

Other benefits and features will be described in connection with thedifferent embodiments of the spa pool hereinbelow.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5B, the present invention provides a portable spapool assembly 20 that has a pool 22, a liner 24, a plurality of jetnozzle assemblies 26 and a water circulation control unit 28. The pool22, the jet nozzle assembly 26 and the control unit 28 are each separatefrom each other and can be modular units that are replaceable orchangeable without the need to replace or change the other units.

The pool 22 has an enclosing side wall 30 that defines the interior 32of the pool 22. The side wall 30 can be provided in three separatesections, a first or lower surrounding inflatable air chamber 34, asecond or intermediate surrounding inflatable air chamber 36, and athird or upper surrounding inflatable air chamber 38. In addition, abottom wall 46 can be connected to the lower air chamber 34. The airchambers 34, 36 and 38 are inflatable to define the shape of the pool 22when fully inflated, and can be made from a material that iswater-impervious and which is capable of tolerating heat and cold.Non-limiting examples of the material can include PVC, rubber, nylon, PUlamination, and polyethylene. The material also acts as awater-containing layer of material that protects against water leakage,and to protect the pool 22 itself from puncture or other damage. In oneembodiment of the present invention, the air chambers 34, 36 and 38 aremade of a heat and chlorine resistant polyvinylchloride (PVC) material.In one embodiment, the pool 22 can be manufactured by heat sealing thethree chambers 34, 36, 38 and the bottom wall 46. The air chambers 34,36, 38 have valves 40, 42, 44, respectively, through which air can beintroduced to inflate the chambers 34, 36, 38. The bottom wall 46 can beinflatable and made from the same material as the chambers 34, 36, 38,or can be merely a sheet of material that is water-impervious and whichis capable of tolerating heat and cold.

Alternatively, the pool 22 need not be inflatable. For example, it isalso possible to provide the pool 22, its side wall 30 and its bottomwall 46 in a solid piece of foam or other solid material that is moldedto the configuration shown in FIGS. 1-2.

Each jet nozzle assembly 26 has a housing 50 that contains the plumbingsystem (e.g., a motor and a pump), and which is a separate housing thatcan be removably coupled to the side wall 30 of the pool 22. A jetnozzle 52 is provided on the housing 50, with a tubing 54 connecting thenozzle 52 to a bubble control device 56. Each jet nozzle 52 can be anyconventional jet nozzle that is currently available and used forconventional spa pools. For example, two types of jet nozzles 52 can beused include a water flow adjustable nozzle and a non-adjustable nozzle.The jet nozzles 52 can also be one-directional, or multi-directionalthat are adjustable by the user to massage different areas of the user'sback. An electrical wiring 58 extends from the housing 50 to anelectrical power plug 60, so that power can be delivered from anexternal power source (e.g., a power socket in the wall) via the plug 60and the wiring 58 to power a motor (not shown) inside the housing 50. Awater inlet 62 is provided in the housing 50 to allow water from theinterior of the pool 22 to be delivered into the housing 50 by a pump(not shown) housed in the housing 50, which subsequently delivers thewater to the nozzle 52 to be ejected by the nozzle 52. Even though themotor and the pump of the jet nozzle assembly 26 are not shown, they canbe constructed according to motors and pumps that are well-known in thespa art for pumping water to be ejected through a nozzle.

The water circulation control unit 28 can include a filter pump (notshown) and a heater (not shown) that are housed inside a housing 70. Thefilter pump and heater are all well-known in the art, and the assemblyof a filter pump and a heater together into a modular component hasalready been done for conventional spa systems, and one non-limitingexample is the PS-1 System marketed by Spa Builders System Group. Theheater can be automatically activated by a water pressure sensor (builtinto the heater) which turns on the heater when water begins to travelthrough it. The heater can also be provided with an automatic maximumtemperature cut-off if the water reaches a pre-selected maximumtemperature (e.g., 104 degrees Fahrenheit). The heater is optional andcan be omitted.

A water intake tubing 72 extends from the housing 70 and is adapted todeliver water from the interior of the pool 22 to the control unit 28. Awater outlet tubing 74 extends from the housing 70 and is adapted todeliver water from the control unit 28 back to the interior of the pool22. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tubings 72 and 74 extend throughopenings 76 and 78 respectively, in the liner 24, and through ports 80and 82, respectively, in the side wall 30 (e.g., in the air chamber 34).An electrical wiring 84 extends from the housing 70 to an electricalplug 86, so that power can be delivered from an external power source(e.g., a power socket in the wall) via the plug 86 and the wiring 84 topower a motor (not shown) inside the housing 70.

The control unit 28 functions to draw water (using the filter pump) viathe intake tubing 72 into the housing 70 where the water is filtered bythe filter pump and heated by the heater. The processed water is thenreturned to the interior of the pool 22 via the outlet tubing 74. Thus,the water inside the pool 22 can be constantly recirculated andprocessed to keep it clean and heated to the desired temperature.

Each tubing 54, 72, 74 can be made from the same material, such as PVC,and can have weaved nylon reinforcements laminated into the hose itself.The tubings 54, 72, 74 should preferably be able to withstand high waterpressure and heat.

The bubble control device 56 is illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 4and 5. The bubble control device 56 includes a rounded container 94 anda generally U-shaped cover 96 that is adapted to be fitted inside thecontainer 94. A plurality of internal threads 98 are provided on theinner wall of the container 94, and are adapted to threadably engage aplurality of external threads 100 that are provided on the outer wall ofthe cover 96. The tubing 54 is connected to an opening 102 provided atthe center of the bottom of the container 94. A central tube 104 extendsupwardly into the interior of the cover 96 from the center of the bottomof the cover 96, and has a bore 106 that communicates the interior ofthe cover 96 with the interior of the container 94. In addition, thebore 106 is aligned with the opening 102. A cap 108 is adjustablycoupled to the tube 104 to control the amount of air that is allowed toflow from the environment to the nozzle 52. Specifically, the cap 108has internal threads 110 that are adapted to threadably engage externalthreads 114 provided on the tube 104. In addition, one or more airopenings 116 are provided in the wall of the cap 108, so that air fromthe environment can flow through the openings 116 into the bore 106, andthen through the opening 102 and the tubing 54 to the nozzle 52. Thus,turning the cap 108 with respect to the tube 104 will cause the cap 108to travel along the threads 110, 114 to go up or down along the tube104. Depending on the extent to which the cap 108 is turned, some of theopenings 116 will be opened or closed, thereby varying the amount of airthat can flow from the environment to the nozzle 52.

To assemble the spa pool assembly 20, the pool 22 is inflated bypartially inflating the air chambers 34, 36, 38. Each jet nozzleassembly 26 is then installed in the following manner. The housing 50for each jet nozzle assembly 26 is inserted into a cavity 88 that isprovided in the side wall 30 (e.g., the air chamber 36), and which opensinto the interior of the pool 22. The wiring 58 for each jet nozzleassembly 26 is extended through an opening 90 in the side wall 30 to theexterior of the pool 22, and the plug 60 is plugged into a power socket.In addition, the tubing 54 of the bubble control device 56 is extendedthrough the interior of the side wall 30 to an opening 92 provided inthe top of the side wall 30 (e.g., at the top of the air chamber 38).The container 94 is then positioned in the opening 92, and the tubing 54is coupled to the opening 102. The cover 96 and its cap 108 are thensecured over the container 94. The jet nozzle assemblies 26 are nowready for use. The cap 108 for each bubble control device 56 can beadjusted to adjust the jet spray for each corresponding nozzle 52.

Next, the user completes the inflation of the air chambers 34, 36, 38,and then uses the liner 24 to completely cover the pool 22. The liner 24can completely cover all the surfaces of the pool 22, including theinterior and the exterior surfaces of the pool 22. The liner 24 can beprovided with a zipper, buttons, or other similar mechanism (not shown)to zip up the liner 24 when the liner 24 has completely surrounded thepool 22. The liner 24 can be provided with openings 88 a, 40 a, 42 a, 44a that are aligned with (and correspond with) the cavities 88 and thevalves 40, 42, 44, respectively, in the pool 22.

The user then installs the control unit 28 by extending the tubings 72and 74 through the openings 76 and 78 respectively, in the liner 24, andthrough the ports 80 and 82, respectively. The tubings 72 and 74 arethen connected to the housing 70, and the plug 86 is plugged into apower socket. The control unit 28 is now ready for use.

Optionally, pillow bladders (not shown) can be inflated and insertedinto pillow chambers 120 provided at the top of the liner 24. Thesepillow bladders 120 function as head pillows for the occupants of thespa pool assembly 20.

Water can be filled into the interior of the pool 22 to the requiredwater level (preferably above the level of the nozzles 52), and thepumps in the jet nozzle assemblies 26 and the control unit 28 primed bydrawing water from the pool 22 into the respective pumps. Once the pumpshave been primed, the pump is ready to begin recirculating water. Thespa pool assembly 20 is now ready for use.

Thus, as described above, the spa pool assembly 20 can be assembled veryquickly and conveniently. No tubing is needed to connect the nozzles 52,since each jet nozzle assembly 26 operates as a stand-alone unit that isseparate from the other jet nozzle units 26. As a result, theconstruction and assembly of the spa pool assembly 20 is greatlysimplified.

During use, the user can adjust each jet nozzle 52 separately bycontrolling the bubble control device 56. In particular, the user canadjust the cap 108 on the cover 96 in the manner described above tocontrol the amount of bubbles being ejected by the corresponding nozzle52. Since the cap 108 essentially controls the amount of air presentinside the container 94, adjusting the cap 108 to decrease the spaceinside the container 94 will result in a weaker jet of bubbles beingejected by the corresponding nozzle 52 (because there is less air), andadjusting the cap 108 to increase the space inside the container 94 willresult in a stronger jet of bubbles being ejected by the correspondingnozzle 52 (because there is more air). Thus, the user can vary thestrength of each different nozzle 52 by adjusting each separate bubblecontrol device 56.

In addition, the use of a single water intake tubing 72 and a singlewater outlet tubing 74 minimizes the number of openings in the pool 22,thereby reducing the likelihood of leakage and other defects.

To dis-assemble the spa pool assembly 20, the user turns off therespective motors, and disconnects all the components by reversing thesteps described above. The jet nozzle assemblies 26 are then separatelyremoved from the pool 22. The air chambers 34, 36, 38 are then deflatedand all the components can be packed for storage or transportation. Acarrying case (not shown) can be provided for storing the differentcomponents: the jet nozzle assemblies 26, the control unit 28, thetubings 72, 74, the bubble control devices 56, the pool 22, and theliner 24.

The modularity of the different units 22, 24, 26, 28, 56, 72, 74 alsoprovides several important benefits. First, the modularity allows forconvenient replacement of defective units without the need to replacenon-defective units. Second, the modularity increases the convenience ofassembly, dis-assembly, servicing and maintenance of the spa poolassembly 20. Third, the assembly and disassembly of the spa poolassembly 20 does not require the use of special tools, thereby allowingthe spa pool assembly 20 to be conveniently moved about for use in manydifferent locations.

FIGS. 6-8 illustrate some modifications that can be made to the jetnozzle assemblies 26 and the control unit 28 described above. First,each jet nozzle assembly 26 a can be the same as the jet nozzle assembly26 described above, except that each nozzle 52 a can be provided in atubular configuration with external threads 122 that are adapted toreceive a threaded nut 124. Thus, each tubular nozzle 52 a can extendthrough an opening 88 a in the liner 24, and the nut 124 can bethreadably secured to the nozzle 52 a from inside the spa pool assembly20, so as to secure the nozzle 52 a to the location of the opening 88 a.

Second, the control unit 28 a can be the same as the control unit 28described above, except that individual control switches 130 can also beprovided to allow the user to separately control the individual jetnozzle assemblies 26 a. In addition, power receptacles 132 are providedin the housing 70 a, each adapted to receive a power plug 60 of aseparate jet nozzle assembly 26 a. Thus, by turning on selected switches130 and turning off selected switches 130, the user can control whichjet nozzle assemblies 26 a are turned on or off, while also being ableto adjust the strength of the jet of water at each nozzle 52 a via thecorresponding bubble control device 56.

As a further alternative, as best shown in FIG. 7, an ozonator 140 canbe coupled to the tubing 74 via a separate line 142. The ozonator 140functions to generate ozone to sanitize the spa pool assembly 20.

FIGS. 9-13 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. Thespa pool assembly 20 b in FIGS. 9-13 can be the same as the spa poolassembly 20 in FIGS. 1-5 except for the differences noted below, so thesame numeral designations will be used to designate the same elements inFIGS. 1-5 and FIGS. 9-13, except that a “b” or a “c” is added to thecorresponding elements in FIGS. 9-13.

The pool 22 b is provided with a multi-sectional base or bottom wall 46b that has a plurality of different sections 200 that are divided bypassages 202. In the embodiment of FIGS. 9-13, there are four sections200 that are divided by two perpendicular passages 202 that intersecteach other. In addition, there is a circumferential passage 204 thatextends around the edge of the base 46 b and separates the sections 202from the bottom chamber 34 b. The passages 202 and 204 communicate witheach other, and are essentially embodied in the form of grooves that areformed between the chamber 34 b and the sections 200. Each section 200can be inflated separately via valves 208, which can be single ormulti-valves.

As shown in FIG. 11, an air hose 206 has a first end that is connectedto an air bubble generator 210 at the exterior of the pool 22 b andextends over the wall 30 b into the pool 22 b to a manifold 212 (seeFIG. 13) in the liner 24 b to its second end which fluidly communicateswith the passage 204. The liner 24 b has a meshed material 220 in itsbase 216 that is aligned with the passage 204, and the liner 24 bfurther includes holes 205 that are aligned with the passages 202. Airis introduced via the air hose 206 to the passages 202 and 204,circulates through the passages 202, 204, and then exits through themeshed material 220 and the holes 205 provided on the base 216 to theinterior of the pool 22 b.

The passages 202 and 204 allow for circulated air to be propelled fromadditional sources towards the people sitting in the pool 22 b. Inparticular, the air bubbles from the passages 202, 204 provide a massagefunction from the bottom.

In addition, the pool 22 b includes a drain port 222 that is alignedwith the drain opening 224 in the liner 24 b. Water from the interior ofthe pool 22 b can be drained via the drain port 222 and the drainopening 224. A cover 25 can be placed over the top of the pool 22 b andthe liner 24 b.

FIGS. 14-16 illustrate yet another embodiment of the present invention.The spa pool assembly 20 d in FIGS. 14-16 can be the same as the spapool assembly 20 b in FIGS. 9-13 except for the differences noted below,so the same numeral designations will be used to designate the sameelements in FIGS. 9-13 and FIGS. 14-16, except that a “d” or an “e” isadded to the corresponding elements in FIGS. 14-16.

The spa pool 22 d is essentially the same as the spa pool 22 b, exceptthat the air hose 206 d now extends through the wall 30 d. Specifically,the air hose 206 d has a first end that is connected to an air bubblegenerator 210 d at the exterior of the pool 22 d and extends via anopening 213 d in the wall 30 d to the interior of the chambers 34 d, 36d, 38 d. The air hose 206 d extends upwardly in the wall 30 d and exitsthe top of the chamber 38 d via an opening 207 to a U-shaped curve 209,which then extends back into the chamber 38 d via another opening 211.The air hose 206 d then extends downwardly in the wall 30 d until itreaches the bottom of the wall 30 d where it exits through an opening215 in the chamber 34 d. The opening 215 communicates with the passages202 d and 204 d. The liner 24 d has a meshed material 220 d in its base216 d that is aligned with the passage 204 d. Air is introduced via theair hose 206 d to the passages 202 d and 204 d, circulates through thepassages 202 d, 204 d, and then exits through the meshed material 220 dand the holes (not shown in FIGS. 14-16, but same as 205) provided onthe base 216 d to the interior of the pool 22 d.

Openings 217 and 219 can be provided in the liner 24 d and adapted to bealigned with the openings 207 and 211 in the spa pool 22 d so that theair hose 206 d can extend through these openings 207, 211, 217 and 219.

The U-shaped air passage defined by the air hose 206 d provides a safetyfeature over the air hose 206 shown in FIGS. 9-13 in that it canminimize the back flow of water to the air bubble generator 210 d whenthe power is turned off. By providing the U-shaped curve 209 at avertical level that is higher than the water level in the spa pool 22 d,any siphoning effect can be avoided when the power is turned off.

FIGS. 9-16 illustrate the provision of air bubbles from the base orbottom wall 46 b. As a result, it is possible to omit the jet nozzleassemblies 26 b. FIG. 17 illustrates the spa pool assembly 20 b with thejet nozzle assemblies 26 b omitted. The resulting spa pool assembly 20 fin FIG. 17 is otherwise the same as the spa pool assembly 20 b in FIGS.9-13, so the same numeral designations will be used to designate thesame elements in FIGS. 9-13 and FIG. 17, except that an “f” is added tothe corresponding elements in FIG. 17. Similarly, FIG. 18 illustratesthe spa pool 22 d with the jet nozzle assemblies omitted. The resultingspa pool 22 g in FIG. 18 is otherwise the same as the spa pool 22 b inFIGS. 14-16, so the same numeral designations will be used to designatethe same elements in FIGS. 14-16 and FIG. 18, except that a “g” is addedto the corresponding elements in FIG. 18.

FIGS. 19-22 illustrates modifications that can be made to the spa poolassembly 22 g in FIG. 18. The spa pool assembly 22 h in FIGS. 19-22 canbe the same as the spa pool assembly 22 g in FIG. 18 (as furtherdescribed using the principles in FIGS. 14-16) except for thedifferences noted below, so the same numeral designations will be usedto designate the same elements in FIGS. 19-22 and FIGS. 14-16 and 18,except that an “h” is added to the corresponding elements in FIGS.19-22.

As with the spa pool 22 g, the spa pool 22 h is provided with amulti-sectional base or bottom wall 46 h that has a plurality ofdifferent sections 200 h that are divided by passages 201 h and 202 h.In the embodiment of FIGS. 19-22, there are four sections 200 h that aredivided by two perpendicular passages 201 h, 202 h that intersect eachother. Each section 200 h can be inflated separately via valves 208 h,which can be single or multi-valves. In addition, there is acircumferential passage 204 h that extends around the edge of the base46 h and separates the sections 200 h from the bottom chamber 34 h. Thepassages 202 h and 204 h communicate with each other, and areessentially embodied in the form of grooves that are formed between thechamber 34 h and the sections 200 h.

An additional passage 203 h is provided adjacent the passage 204 h, andcommunicates with the passage 201 h via a path (see dotted lines in FIG.20) underneath the passage 204 h. The passages 202 h and 204 h are smallbubble fluid passages, and the passages 201 h and 203 h are large bubblefluid passages. Each of these passages 201 h-204 h has a top wall, withsmall bubble openings 197 h provided in the top wall of the passages 202h and 204 h, and large bubble openings 199 h provided in the top wall ofthe passages 201 h and 203 h. Large bubbles and fluid are ejected fromthe large bubble passages 201 h, 203 h via the large bubble openings 199h, and small bubbles and fluid are ejected from the small bubblepassages 202 h, 204 h via the small bubble openings 197 h. The smallbubbles are essentially the same as the bubbles ejected in theembodiments of FIGS. 1-18. Optionally, conventional jet nozzles ornozzle assemblies can be installed at one or more, or all of, the largebubble openings 199 h.

The different passages 201 h-204 h allow for circulated fluid and air tobe propelled from additional sources towards the people sitting in thepool 22 h. In particular, the air bubbles from the passages 201 h-204 hprovide a massage function from the bottom. Also, the provision ofdifferent-sized bubble openings 197 h, 199 h allow for the user (via thebubble controller 229 h described below) to vary the types of bubblesbeing jetted to the user, thereby enhancing the spa experience of theuser.

In addition, the pool 22 h includes ports 80 h and 82 h through whichwater from the interior of the pool 22 h can be delivered to the controlunit (not shown, but can be the same as 28), and from the control unitback to the interior of the pool 22 h. The pool 22 h also includes adrain port 222 h that is aligned with the drain opening (not shown, butcan the same as 224) in the liner (not shown in FIGS. 19-22). Water fromthe interior of the pool 22 h can be drained via the drain port 222 hand the drain opening in the liner. A cover (not shown, but can be thesame as 25) can be placed over the top of the pool 22 h and the liner.

Referring to FIGS. 19, 21 and 22, a bubble controller 229 h is providedfor allowing the user to select the desired bubble output that is jettedto the user inside the pool 22 h. The bubble controller 229 h has aselector dial 231 h that can be turned to one of a plurality ofsettings. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 19, 21 and 22 provides for threeseparate settings, although any number of different settings can beprovided. The three settings, each represented by a separate button,are: large bubbles 244 (via the large bubble openings 199 h), smallbubbles 246 (via the small bubble openings 197 h), and both large andsmall bubbles 248 (via all the openings 197 h, 199 h). The bubblecontroller 229 h has a chamber 233 h which is in fluid communicationwith the air hose 206 h, a large bubble hose 250 h, and a small bubblehose 252 h, which are described in greater detail below. A dividing wall235 h is connected to the dial 231 h, and is movable within the chamber233 h to assume one of three positions, a first position thatcorresponds to the setting 244, a second position that corresponds tothe setting 246, and a third position that corresponds to the setting248.

As with the spa pool 22 g, the air hose 206 h extends through the wall30 h. Specifically, the air hose 206 h has a first end that is connectedto an air bubble generator (not shown, but can be the same as 210 d) atthe exterior of the pool 22 h and extends via an opening 213 h in thewall 30 h to the interior of the chambers 34 h, 36 h, 38 h. The air hose206 h extends upwardly in the wall 30 h and exits the top of the chamber38 h via an opening 207 h to the chamber 233 h inside the bubblecontroller 229 h. A large bubble hose 250 h and a small bubble hose 252h extend downwardly from the chamber 233 h of the bubble controller 229h through the wall 30 h. The large bubble hose 250 h communicates withthe large bubble fluid passage 203 h, and the small bubble hose 252 hcommunicates with the small bubble fluid passage 204 h. Since the largebubble fluid passage 203 h is fluidly coupled to the other large bubblefluid passage 201 h, the fluid and air from the large bubble hose 250 hcan be circulated along the two passages 201 h, 203 h and fluid andbubbles ejected at any of the openings 199 h. Similarly, since the smallbubble fluid passage 204 h is fluidly coupled to the other small bubblefluid passage 202 h, the air and fluid from the small bubble hose 252 hcan be circulated along the two passages 202 h, 204 h and fluid andbubbles ejected at any of the openings 197 h. The different-sizedopenings 197 h and 199 h allow for the ejection of bubbles of differentsizes, thereby allowing the user to adjust the comfort of the spaexperience.

In use, the air hose 206 h delivers air to the chamber 233 h. When thedial 231 h is turned to the setting 244, the wall 235 h blocks off theair hose 206 h from the small bubble hose 252 h (see FIG. 23) so thatthe air bubbles and fluid can only travel to the large bubble hose 250h. Similarly, when the dial 231 h is turned to the setting 246, the wall235 h blocks off the air hose 206 h from the large bubble hose 250 h sothat the air bubbles and fluid can only travel to the small bubble hose252 h. When the dial 231 h is turned to the setting 248, the wall 235 hdivides the opening from the air hose 206 h so that some of the bubblesand fluid travel to the small bubble hose 252 h, and some of the bubblesand fluid travel to the large bubble hose 250 h.

The combination of the upward air hose 206 h and the downward bubblehoses 250 h, 252 h provide a U-shaped delivery passage which provides asafety feature over the air hose 206 shown in FIGS. 9-13 in that it canminimize the back flow of water to the air bubble generator when thepower is turned off. By providing the U-shaped curve at a vertical levelthat is higher than the water level in the spa pool 22 h, any siphoningeffect can be avoided when the power is turned off.

Also, even though FIGS. 19-22 only illustrate four passages 201 h-204 h,any number of passages (including any number of small bubble passages202 h, 204 h and any number of large bubble passages 201 h, 203 h) canbe provided as well to vary and enhance the spa experience.

While the description above refers to particular embodiments of thepresent invention, it will be understood that many modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claimsare intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the truescope and spirit of the present invention. For example, each jet nozzleassembly 26 and the control unit 28 can be powered by batteries, so thatthe wirings 58 and 84 can be omitted.

1. A portable spa pool assembly, comprising: a pool having an enclosingwall and a base that together defines an interior, the base having aplurality of inflatable sections that are divided by a plurality of airpassages, wherein the plurality of air passages includes a first airpassage that has a plurality of small bubble openings and a second airpassage that has a plurality of large bubble openings, with the smallbubble openings ejecting bubbles that are smaller in size than thebubbles ejected from the large bubble openings.
 2. The assembly of claim1, further including a bubble controller that controls the ejection ofbubbles from the small bubble openings and the large bubble openings. 3.The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second air passagesextend around a periphery of the base.
 4. The assembly of claim 1,further including an air hose that delivers air from outside the pool tothe air passages, the air hose extending partially inside the enclosingwall and being coupled to a U-shaped section extending outside theenclosing wall at a vertical level that is higher than the top of theenclosing wall.
 5. The assembly of claim 4, further including first andsecond bubble hoses extending inside the enclosing wall and fluidlycoupled to the first and second air passages, respectively.
 6. Theassembly of claim 4, further including a bubble controller that controlsthe ejection of bubbles from the small bubble openings and the largebubble openings, with the bubble controller being part of the U-shapedsection.
 7. The assembly of claim 1, further including: a watercirculation control unit positioned outside the pool, the control unithaving a first tubing coupled to the control unit and extending throughthe enclosing wall into the interior of the pool, and a second tubingcoupled to the control unit and extending through the enclosing wallinto the interior of the pool.
 8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein theenclosing wall is inflatable.
 9. The assembly of claim 5, furtherincluding a bubble controller having a chamber to which the air hose,the first bubble hose and the second bubble hose are connected, thebubble controller including a dividing wall that divides the chamber tocontrol the flow of air from the air hose into one or both of the bubblehoses.
 10. A method of jetting bubbles into a spa pool, comprising:providing a pool having having a first air passage that has a pluralityof small bubble openings and a second air passage that has a pluralityof large bubble openings; ejecting a first type of bubbles from thesmall bubble openings; and ejecting a second type of bubbles from thelarge bubble openings, with the first type of bubbles being smaller insize than the second type of bubbles.
 11. The method of claim 10,further including: ejecting the first and second type of bubbles from abase of the pool.
 12. The method of claim 10, further including:providing a base in the pool, with the base divided into sections by theair passages.
 13. The method of claim 10, further including:manipulating a bubble control to shut off the ejection of either thefirst type of bubbles or the second type of bubbles.